Trees are vitally important to urban neighborhoods. They grow, create shade, keep home heating and cooling costs down, reduce greenhouse gasses, soak up storm water runoff, shelter wildlife and help biodiversity, and reduce the urban heat island effect. They create a safety buffer between cars and pedestrians, increase property values and it has been shown that business even do better on tree lined streets. They make not just your home but the whole street look prettier.

According to the City’s notice, property owners who would like a tree planted in a sidewalk tree well in front of their home should complete this online request form: www.hobokennj.org/boards/shade-tree-commission/treerequest/. Requests will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and funding may be insufficient to immediately satisfy all requests.

Each location requested will be surveyed by a professional from the Department of Environmental Services to ensure there are no conflicts with the surrounding infrastructure and that the site is a suitable one for a tree to grow and thrive.

Requests can be made for existing empty tree beds as well as paved sidewalk locations. If a tree well does not exist, one will be opened. Trees will not be planted on private property, only in sidewalk tree wells.

Trees are only planted during our two planting seasons: Spring (March 1 to May 31) and fall (October 1 to December 31). This current planting will take place in October or November, 2013.